The 2017 Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders brought together more than 110 human rights defenders (HRDs) from 99 countries and numerous international guests to share experiences, learn from each other and develop new and more effective strategies for their security and protection. This unique forum gave participating HRDs an opportunity to speak out about challenges and risks they face in their work, analyse new and well-established patterns of oppression and develop strategies to remain resilient and effective.

María Magdalena Tun didn’t choose to become a human rights defender. But when private companies started evicting local communities in her region, polluting the rivers and destroying the forests, she realised she could not sit idly by: she had to defend the rights of her people.

On World Environment Day, we honour the struggle of Guatemalan HRDs who are risking their life to defend environmental rights

Two weeks ago, indigenous and land rights defender Carlos Maaz Coc attended a peaceful demonstration in El Estor, Guatemala. Together with other fishermen and farmers, he was protesting against the contamination caused by nickel mining projects in his region.

On 17 April, Kazim Kizil went to film a protest in Izmir, Turkey. People were demonstrating against irregularities in the voting process for the constitutional referendum, which granted president Recep Tayyip Erdogan new sweeping powers.

The rally didn’t last long. Police intervened and detained around 20 people. Kazim was one of them. His camera was seen as a threat: the Turkish authorities did not want anyone documenting the crackdown.

Dispatches 2016 presents the work Front Line Defenders has undertaken around the world for the protection and security of human rights defenders at risk in 2016, including the impact of grants, training, advocacy, visibility, rest & respite and other programs, as well as the launch of the HRD Memorial, honoring HRDs killed since the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in 1998.